tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11003845786908471492018-03-18T07:12:36.801-04:00First Comes Baby...Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.comBlogger221125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-45998430518418128502016-02-04T10:51:00.000-05:002016-02-04T10:51:11.531-05:00Where has all my time gone?? (& Merry Christmas?)I had this idea in my head that once Aurora started school, I would have all this free time to catch up on things or get back to the gym. I thought I would be looking for ways to fill those hours when she was gone. It seems I was couldn't have been more wrong. First, just getting Aurora to and from her Pre-K across town is a part time job in and of itself (seriously, it's 20 hours a week). I'm also working a contract that has me at another 20 hours a week and I am back at school for my masters degree. My days generally consist of cramming as much work in as I can, or running errands on my day off, just so I can hang out with Aurora after school. We also walk a friend's dog twice a week. I realized the other day that the school year is already halfway over and I have no idea where all that free time I dreamed about ended up. It also dawned on me that I have been letting a lot of things slip because I got so established in this school/work/school/sleep routine. One of them has been this blog! I keep storing pictures and writing down notes for new posts, but by the time I get around to posting them, they are already out of date. One thing I would feel awful about neglecting though is Christmas! So, here I am posting about it in February. Our Christmas was great and it was the first year that Aurora truly appreciated the holidays really got into the Santa aspect of it. We also got our first live tree this year which was exciting! I was paranoid about a 6ft tree in a house with a five year old and a cat, but we had no problems at all, so a new tradition is born!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2mBe90G0Olk/VrNy2C0ytXI/AAAAAAAADzU/30vLiGI-4GI/s1600/image4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2mBe90G0Olk/VrNy2C0ytXI/AAAAAAAADzU/30vLiGI-4GI/s640/image4.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-64594748012875384542016-02-02T11:05:00.000-05:002016-02-04T11:06:50.224-05:00Hunting for cute monogrammed jewelery? Check out these rings!Anyone who knows me knows that I have a thing for silver rings of all shapes and sizes. My collection has grown over the years and I have everything from chunky silver thumb rings to teensy delicate midi rings. One thing I've never purchased though is monogrammed jewelry because I always found them a little too gaudy or obvious. I recently was approached to review some monogrammed jewelry at <a href="http://www.getnamenecklace.com/monogram-rings" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">GetNameNecklace</a> and I almost passed on it because all I pictured were those giant tacky name necklaces that everyone wore about ten years ago. Out of curiosity though, I decided to click the link and poke around on the site a bit and I was surprised to find some REALLY cute monogrammed rings!<br /><br />Unlike some others I have seen, these are really nice quality and real sterling silver, not just silvertone (which I cannot wear without turning my fingers green). I found more than one <a href="http://www.getnamenecklace.com/monogram-rings" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">monogram ring</a> that I liked, which made it difficult to choose just one, so I didn't. What I liked the best is that the initials are not super obvious and they do not stand out too much as monograms, rather they are incorporated nicely into the design. I loved that they were subtle and at first glance you may not realize you are looking at a letter, but it still has the nice personal feel of a monogrammed piece. I can't wait to see them in person!Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-10736930084578533002015-11-11T00:30:00.000-05:002015-11-12T21:01:38.875-05:00Enter to win a free stroller over at Red Tricycle!I've been a fan of Red Tricycle for awhile now, they always have good parenting article and links to products and activities before I see them elsewhere. Right now if you head over to their site, you have a chance to <a href="http://redtri.com/landing-page/win-a-stroller-for-phil-teds/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">win a Phil&amp;Ted’s stroller</a> and all you need to do is enter an email address! (Extra entries for sharing on social media. Go check it out!Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-35214014501898692402015-10-22T00:30:00.000-04:002016-02-04T10:51:55.141-05:00A new site for preserving family memories!<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">I started this blog as a way to chronicle my life as a new single parent and along the way, I found myself thinking a lot about my own family and life growing up. I have always said to myself that I would probably write a book some day, because I feel like I had a lot of experiences and people in my life that deserve to be remembered. I have extensive journals, and piles or random notes, and even this blog to reference when the time comes to get serious about this, but I recently found out about a site that might be even more useful to me:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ibiographer.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.iBiographer.com</a>.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://www.ibiographer.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iBiographer</a> lets users create biographies and create "living family histories". Unlike traditional family trees, which are just lists of names and dates, this allows memories to be preserved and shared, including stories and even photos. This information is kept private and can be privately stored and later accessed by invited family members. To make things even better, family members themselves can then contribute their own content! If the family members choose, these entries can also be made public, which could help family members get in touch with long lost relatives who are searching for them.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12px;">As someone with very little immediate family, <a href="http://www.ibiographer.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this site</a> seems perfect for not only preserving the memories I have, but also collecting other unique perspectives from family members I don't have close contact with. I can see using this as almost a virtual family reunion, where everyone can reminisce about our history and other members of the family. Then, when the time comes to get my own story on paper, I'll have a much richer and more extensive history to draw from thanks to what has been compiled by me and other family members. I think this is a great idea and I was surprised no one had come up with this idea sooner!</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: &quot;verdana&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">This post was sponsored by iBiographer, you can read more about them here:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.onlineprnews.com/news/591005-1432921474-safely-preserve-memories-and-publish-family-stories-online-with-newly-launched-ibiographercom.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.onlineprnews.com/news/591005-1432921474-safely-preserve-memories-and-publish-family-stories-online-with-newly-launched-ibiographercom.html</a></span>Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-2819445554425472602015-10-20T21:49:00.001-04:002015-10-20T21:50:29.635-04:00Aurora is in PRE-K!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HCnKXHvfEw8/VibvM2dhq8I/AAAAAAAADqQ/p84E03uK8sM/s640/blogger-image--1600179736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HCnKXHvfEw8/VibvM2dhq8I/AAAAAAAADqQ/p84E03uK8sM/s640/blogger-image--1600179736.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PbpDR-8ElEw/VibvQD4RDYI/AAAAAAAADqY/sSRcKCCqCtU/s640/blogger-image-325988043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PbpDR-8ElEw/VibvQD4RDYI/AAAAAAAADqY/sSRcKCCqCtU/s640/blogger-image-325988043.jpg"></a></div>Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-68095318055916121912015-01-02T13:58:00.000-05:002015-02-17T14:00:17.598-05:00Christmas 2014! This was the first year that Aurora really understood and appreciated the whole Santa thing. We definitely took full advantage and found him wherever we could. The first time was a little bit of a disaster because Aura took a nasty spill. Guess we had to get that first ER visit out of the way at some point... She was more disappointed to miss the hayride than anything. In spite of that, though, it was a great Christmas!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7-PR8V5870o/VOON4Xg9OKI/AAAAAAAADgE/US9pJglED2o/s1600/Christmas%2B2014%2B(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7-PR8V5870o/VOON4Xg9OKI/AAAAAAAADgE/US9pJglED2o/s1600/Christmas%2B2014%2B(6).JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pkS41ttz7UE/VOON4r6BJ3I/AAAAAAAADgA/pznwW8V7Mo4/s1600/Christmas%2B2014%2B(66).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pkS41ttz7UE/VOON4r6BJ3I/AAAAAAAADgA/pznwW8V7Mo4/s1600/Christmas%2B2014%2B(66).JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4_7Hn2KUDc/VOON2cmiOtI/AAAAAAAADfM/7TO4CTpUwi8/s1600/Christmas%2B2014%2B(12).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4_7Hn2KUDc/VOON2cmiOtI/AAAAAAAADfM/7TO4CTpUwi8/s1600/Christmas%2B2014%2B(12).JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gsLX0xpqvG8/VOON2Qv6YjI/AAAAAAAADfU/ayE6-lq7brM/s1600/Christmas%2B2014%2B(22).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gsLX0xpqvG8/VOON2Qv6YjI/AAAAAAAADfU/ayE6-lq7brM/s1600/Christmas%2B2014%2B(22).JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gree5E0Z8Js/VOON2d_RzzI/AAAAAAAADfQ/ob5XwaDG6Oc/s1600/Christmas%2B2014%2B(26).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gree5E0Z8Js/VOON2d_RzzI/AAAAAAAADfQ/ob5XwaDG6Oc/s1600/Christmas%2B2014%2B(26).JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uC2pqo4UGiE/VOON3Y4inAI/AAAAAAAADfk/-kDneNbxWGE/s1600/Christmas%2B2014%2B(34).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uC2pqo4UGiE/VOON3Y4inAI/AAAAAAAADfk/-kDneNbxWGE/s1600/Christmas%2B2014%2B(34).JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bj2FUn2kS5U/VOON4g1oUtI/AAAAAAAADf8/dNQsD2eXZfE/s1600/Christmas%2B2014%2B(78).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bj2FUn2kS5U/VOON4g1oUtI/AAAAAAAADf8/dNQsD2eXZfE/s1600/Christmas%2B2014%2B(78).JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-saTh3mxQ5YY/VOON5e24esI/AAAAAAAADgU/D_dVtLYbPSU/s1600/Christmas%2B2014%2B(85).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-saTh3mxQ5YY/VOON5e24esI/AAAAAAAADgU/D_dVtLYbPSU/s1600/Christmas%2B2014%2B(85).JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPU_m203VY8/VOOPLHsycEI/AAAAAAAADgg/T6ELFEDVx70/s1600/Aura%2Band%2BSanta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPU_m203VY8/VOOPLHsycEI/AAAAAAAADgg/T6ELFEDVx70/s1600/Aura%2Band%2BSanta.jpg" height="262" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7_N-P_0IAM/VOON3c9IHrI/AAAAAAAADfo/DdxLl0zFDU8/s1600/Christmas%2B2014%2B(40).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7_N-P_0IAM/VOON3c9IHrI/AAAAAAAADfo/DdxLl0zFDU8/s1600/Christmas%2B2014%2B(40).JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9v4c98vjPr0/VOON38t6xYI/AAAAAAAADfs/YB1KohsbHsI/s1600/Christmas%2B2014%2B(55).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9v4c98vjPr0/VOON38t6xYI/AAAAAAAADfs/YB1KohsbHsI/s1600/Christmas%2B2014%2B(55).JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-30091528281416377212014-12-01T13:47:00.000-05:002015-02-17T13:47:33.120-05:00Aurora is FOUR!!! We had an Arty Party!! I know everyone always says that children grow up so fast, but that doesn't even begin to cover the experience of watching your helpless baby turn into an intelligent, headstrong, independent, and opinionated little person. My little Bean turned four yesterday surrounded by friends and family who love her almost as much as I do. To be fair, though, I don't think she gave them any choice. I know that I am biased, but I don't think I've ever met a more lovable kid. I am in awe of how easily she pulls people in and how quickly she gives her trust and affection. I watch her look around to see who is watching her just so she can interact with them. She has always done this, ever since she had the ability to make eye contact. When she was a baby, it was just smiles, but now she'll ask questions and talk to anyone who'll pay attention. She can even make random scowling strangers on a crowded bus light up and have full-on conversations with her. I am not sure how I have managed to raise this kind, considerate and compassionate human being but I am eternally grateful for her and I hope she never becomes jaded or hardened by life. The world needs grown ups who are just as wide-eyed and innocent as this child is. I cannot wait to see the person she becomes and to be there by her side as she continues to grow and change and invite new and amazing people into our lives. Here are some of the pictures from her special day:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FDSZaln_ggA/VOOLx_U99dI/AAAAAAAADeg/H00NGdA5s_8/s1600/IMG_8391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FDSZaln_ggA/VOOLx_U99dI/AAAAAAAADeg/H00NGdA5s_8/s1600/IMG_8391.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oSLdEh1ikbs/VOOLwnmE6HI/AAAAAAAADeE/JDnNauvAXA8/s1600/IMG_8367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oSLdEh1ikbs/VOOLwnmE6HI/AAAAAAAADeE/JDnNauvAXA8/s1600/IMG_8367.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gDqmWp6xDMQ/VOOLxRlAm2I/AAAAAAAADeU/wujmYmLcNTc/s1600/IMG_8368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gDqmWp6xDMQ/VOOLxRlAm2I/AAAAAAAADeU/wujmYmLcNTc/s1600/IMG_8368.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-my0ooreyYcg/VOOLyb3MIUI/AAAAAAAADes/y6iDl5VZkEQ/s1600/IMG_8392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-my0ooreyYcg/VOOLyb3MIUI/AAAAAAAADes/y6iDl5VZkEQ/s1600/IMG_8392.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ru5SA4o6S0Y/VOOLxkGN_kI/AAAAAAAADec/6KMpLN8oSMc/s1600/IMG_8373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ru5SA4o6S0Y/VOOLxkGN_kI/AAAAAAAADec/6KMpLN8oSMc/s1600/IMG_8373.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mKylzbQmk0M/VOOLyp_igsI/AAAAAAAADe0/b8h0mfku15g/s1600/IMG_8408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mKylzbQmk0M/VOOLyp_igsI/AAAAAAAADe0/b8h0mfku15g/s1600/IMG_8408.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E77wx0Y6iuw/VOOLwk8pb-I/AAAAAAAADeA/qR_ScSRTA6Y/s1600/IMG_8337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E77wx0Y6iuw/VOOLwk8pb-I/AAAAAAAADeA/qR_ScSRTA6Y/s1600/IMG_8337.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DrlYnBPIx84/VOOLxuPQXhI/AAAAAAAADeo/KiRdLIQpN5E/s1600/IMG_8381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DrlYnBPIx84/VOOLxuPQXhI/AAAAAAAADeo/KiRdLIQpN5E/s1600/IMG_8381.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-10181954721139430122014-10-04T20:20:00.004-04:002014-10-04T20:20:57.836-04:00Our summer!We had a great summer! So good, in fact, that I didn't even have a moment to sit and write about it. I took lots of pictures but they mostly went on Instagram (you can follow <a href="http://instagram.com/msangelstarr" target="_blank">HERE</a> if you'd like!) School has been crazy but I should be done in May! Aurora has grown from a giggly toddler into a smart, funny, friendly and opinionated "big girl". Life has been amazing, hectic and fast-paced and I wouldn't trade one second of it. Here's a peek:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aaFqbLHn8UA/VDCNpPEPXuI/AAAAAAAADXM/kZiZ3vBzXJs/s1600/IMG_5772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aaFqbLHn8UA/VDCNpPEPXuI/AAAAAAAADXM/kZiZ3vBzXJs/s1600/IMG_5772.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backyard Bubbles!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9fAwbqNzEVQ/VDCNpGY-UeI/AAAAAAAADXU/2wzw_Hyuuek/s1600/IMG_5799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9fAwbqNzEVQ/VDCNpGY-UeI/AAAAAAAADXU/2wzw_Hyuuek/s1600/IMG_5799.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting Estrella at the Children's Museum.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vrec_qo7DG4/VDCNpdUvdwI/AAAAAAAADXQ/GY2aEIUVXDw/s1600/IMG_5875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vrec_qo7DG4/VDCNpdUvdwI/AAAAAAAADXQ/GY2aEIUVXDw/s1600/IMG_5875.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating a delicious fresh tortilla at the farmer's market.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vX1J6Qx0JhM/VDCNqSLGVBI/AAAAAAAADXk/k8J_HGSrmtY/s1600/IMG_5900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vX1J6Qx0JhM/VDCNqSLGVBI/AAAAAAAADXk/k8J_HGSrmtY/s1600/IMG_5900.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawing at a block party (one of many this year!)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RamzzJfja6g/VDCNq2a11eI/AAAAAAAADXo/6WnlExCvIbY/s1600/IMG_5953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RamzzJfja6g/VDCNq2a11eI/AAAAAAAADXo/6WnlExCvIbY/s1600/IMG_5953.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New scooter!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pzNFJ7MEEEQ/VDCNrBdDLDI/AAAAAAAADXw/J9kmoZqPECA/s1600/IMG_5987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pzNFJ7MEEEQ/VDCNrBdDLDI/AAAAAAAADXw/J9kmoZqPECA/s1600/IMG_5987.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Storytime yoga at OmKids,</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBAOU_dW2yc/VDCNrclbEVI/AAAAAAAADX0/ROiCyt_ogoc/s1600/IMG_6047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBAOU_dW2yc/VDCNrclbEVI/AAAAAAAADX0/ROiCyt_ogoc/s1600/IMG_6047.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time on a Ferris Wheel!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Qi3LoxqvKY/VDCNr8KcXeI/AAAAAAAADX8/5xi3oLvdgg0/s1600/IMG_6051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Qi3LoxqvKY/VDCNr8KcXeI/AAAAAAAADX8/5xi3oLvdgg0/s1600/IMG_6051.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time riding solo on a carnival ride. She loved it!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d-9LMM60LZQ/VDCNsAlfDsI/AAAAAAAADYI/ie2v5qfCCek/s1600/IMG_6171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d-9LMM60LZQ/VDCNsAlfDsI/AAAAAAAADYI/ie2v5qfCCek/s1600/IMG_6171.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing at a pal's birthday party.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6awuVk2n-kQ/VDCNsQqouBI/AAAAAAAADYQ/59VS0xyqTqA/s1600/IMG_6272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6awuVk2n-kQ/VDCNsQqouBI/AAAAAAAADYQ/59VS0xyqTqA/s1600/IMG_6272.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aurora's spectacular Providence Pride outfit!</td></tr></tbody></table>Hope everyone else's summer was just as packed with fun as ours was!Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-73995538968238495592014-06-02T21:07:00.001-04:002014-06-02T21:07:56.470-04:00What we've been up to. As of three weeks ago, Aurora has her very own, all-to-herself big girl bedroom. It was a pretty grueling process and it took much longer than I expected, but I am thrilled to say that it's done and I'm super happy with the results. Aurora is pretty pumped too! One of the things I'm the most proud of is that almost all of the furniture in Aurora's room was refinished furniture that may have otherwise been thrown away. The most I paid for anything in the room was $70 for the toddler bed a year and a half ago. The next is $50 for the curtains (I HAD to have them for her) and $20 for the dresser. Everything else was $10 or under! Here's a peek at the process and the results!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oxN6-xtEcfw/U40cqle5FnI/AAAAAAAADQ8/eNbz6H7bcvY/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+1294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oxN6-xtEcfw/U40cqle5FnI/AAAAAAAADQ8/eNbz6H7bcvY/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+1294.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aurora's ruler growth chart, thanks Pinterest!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uva51Ce6GoA/U40cqXXJ1DI/AAAAAAAADQ4/0QPTIobTlxA/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+1680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uva51Ce6GoA/U40cqXXJ1DI/AAAAAAAADQ4/0QPTIobTlxA/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+1680.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dresser - before</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qRp70WJup8o/U40crAwxLBI/AAAAAAAADRE/WrhQTGQcrnI/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qRp70WJup8o/U40crAwxLBI/AAAAAAAADRE/WrhQTGQcrnI/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2387.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A before picture of our old shared bedroom</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xufCq5JkiA8/U40crtbNxiI/AAAAAAAADRQ/jK8k_LU6SdY/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xufCq5JkiA8/U40crtbNxiI/AAAAAAAADRQ/jK8k_LU6SdY/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2543.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dresser- after!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zjW_gb7sy3w/U40cr6gv6GI/AAAAAAAADRM/wdo2dAsm9ts/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zjW_gb7sy3w/U40cr6gv6GI/AAAAAAAADRM/wdo2dAsm9ts/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2743.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nightstand - before (with my secret weapon liquid sandpaper!)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ySj2nRcUihs/U40csfTiReI/AAAAAAAADRc/7uMD9chXP5k/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ySj2nRcUihs/U40csfTiReI/AAAAAAAADRc/7uMD9chXP5k/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2762.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nightstand - after!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k7LRRnE9kkQ/U40cswxSI6I/AAAAAAAADRg/P55MbtF5VQc/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k7LRRnE9kkQ/U40cswxSI6I/AAAAAAAADRg/P55MbtF5VQc/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2840.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one I'm really proud of. This is an old sawhorse support...&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C3Kmo8V9jYg/U40cw6s2F8I/AAAAAAAADSY/OAeOE-gxRLQ/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C3Kmo8V9jYg/U40cw6s2F8I/AAAAAAAADSY/OAeOE-gxRLQ/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2928.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this is a sawhorse support turned into a bookcase!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cFr9MX6SrMU/U40ctaNhBdI/AAAAAAAADRo/gcPfMlJGpbE/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cFr9MX6SrMU/U40ctaNhBdI/AAAAAAAADRo/gcPfMlJGpbE/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2872.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aurora's cool flower lamp.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EgJim0NvRKk/U40ctj_b7tI/AAAAAAAADRs/CW2uw_XKeH4/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EgJim0NvRKk/U40ctj_b7tI/AAAAAAAADRs/CW2uw_XKeH4/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2899.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome textured wallpaper. Still unsure whether or not I'll be painting it pink.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4S27nxu8KLY/U40cuuNOuUI/AAAAAAAADR8/Lf13Udj_74U/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4S27nxu8KLY/U40cuuNOuUI/AAAAAAAADR8/Lf13Udj_74U/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2908.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello Kitty decal wall and play table.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a2qwHDh5RvY/U40cu5G4pHI/AAAAAAAADSA/qX41SKTs1bA/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a2qwHDh5RvY/U40cu5G4pHI/AAAAAAAADSA/qX41SKTs1bA/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2911.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aurora's new reading corner. Still hunting for the perfect fluffy chair.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hdbNDb8zXdE/U40cvl-dk0I/AAAAAAAADSM/w5VypeMSm0M/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hdbNDb8zXdE/U40cvl-dk0I/AAAAAAAADSM/w5VypeMSm0M/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2913.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closet wall.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wmPLjoX_93M/U40cv9XVVXI/AAAAAAAADSw/DyfUxBf6lV8/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wmPLjoX_93M/U40cv9XVVXI/AAAAAAAADSw/DyfUxBf6lV8/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2926.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bed and nightstand.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v6ZKwN4aDxk/U40cwSWOinI/AAAAAAAADSU/D2oUWbRUMC4/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v6ZKwN4aDxk/U40cwSWOinI/AAAAAAAADSU/D2oUWbRUMC4/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2927.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dresser, Aura's framed pictures, Hello Kitty clock.</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9nbN5yTeKps/U40cxt8YheI/AAAAAAAADSs/o_CN4jsIWSE/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9nbN5yTeKps/U40cxt8YheI/AAAAAAAADSs/o_CN4jsIWSE/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2953.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Play table. Got this for $5 but it needed a total overhaul.&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xy3PjewEIbQ/U40cyL4iTUI/AAAAAAAADSo/uyYGgua_tD0/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xy3PjewEIbQ/U40cyL4iTUI/AAAAAAAADSo/uyYGgua_tD0/s1600/iPod+touch+2012-May2014+2955.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The infamous $50 curtains. Totally worth it, right?!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-35915113532418250582014-02-14T21:02:00.002-05:002014-02-14T21:52:24.934-05:00HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b>Nothing says "I love you" like a heart-shaped, potato flatbread pizza!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t1/1898041_10151990066737685_2079296900_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t1/1898041_10151990066737685_2079296900_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />This is a new recipe I tried for the first time. It was delicious and may be my go-to crust from now on. If there is any interest in the recipe, let me know and I'll post it!</div>Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-3065841033999912022014-02-04T20:27:00.000-05:002014-10-04T20:28:54.673-04:00Aurora's Birthday & Christmas - super late. Things have been crazy around here lately. Every time I think I I'm all caught up, more projects come out of the woodwork. I'm still doing school full time and hanging out with the Bean during the day. We still have our adventures, though the snow has been keeping us indoors a lot. We're currently gearing up for a big room switch. Aurora will be getting her big girl room and mama will finally be getting a little privacy (at least during sleeping hours!). It will be nice to have my things out again without worrying about them getting lost or broken. It's funny the things you take for granted before having a child. Anyway, it's going to be a ton of work, but it will be worth it in the end. Aurora and I are both very excited for the change. Here's what you've missed over the last couple of months:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AOb4QUfRLHk/VDCPeq-yzHI/AAAAAAAADZE/9dwco3GU_ZE/s1600/DSC00723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AOb4QUfRLHk/VDCPeq-yzHI/AAAAAAAADZE/9dwco3GU_ZE/s1600/DSC00723.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P0lRz_Swt9E/VDCPd6UzpkI/AAAAAAAADYw/Gt444lTJD6M/s1600/IMG_3667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P0lRz_Swt9E/VDCPd6UzpkI/AAAAAAAADYw/Gt444lTJD6M/s1600/IMG_3667.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VZoTntqWIwk/VDCPd9Bl-PI/AAAAAAAADY0/Ufv1HBKi-_Y/s1600/IMG_3678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VZoTntqWIwk/VDCPd9Bl-PI/AAAAAAAADY0/Ufv1HBKi-_Y/s1600/IMG_3678.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0sZS_3bnwRc/VDCPervqauI/AAAAAAAADZA/9Ri2THCb0E8/s1600/IMG_3687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0sZS_3bnwRc/VDCPervqauI/AAAAAAAADZA/9Ri2THCb0E8/s1600/IMG_3687.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gik6Er0O7n4/VDCQD3OYSUI/AAAAAAAADZQ/Lejw3IiRotY/s1600/iPod%2Btouch%2B2012-May2014%2B2250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gik6Er0O7n4/VDCQD3OYSUI/AAAAAAAADZQ/Lejw3IiRotY/s1600/iPod%2Btouch%2B2012-May2014%2B2250.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zv8H0qJgnZ0/VDCQDzzPVII/AAAAAAAADZY/NdLnIMZxWOk/s1600/iPod%2Btouch%2B2012-May2014%2B2259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zv8H0qJgnZ0/VDCQDzzPVII/AAAAAAAADZY/NdLnIMZxWOk/s1600/iPod%2Btouch%2B2012-May2014%2B2259.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pTqdeTMEXLY/VDCQD6G6fNI/AAAAAAAADZU/Gh3gSylTOpU/s1600/iPod%2Btouch%2B2012-May2014%2B2269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pTqdeTMEXLY/VDCQD6G6fNI/AAAAAAAADZU/Gh3gSylTOpU/s1600/iPod%2Btouch%2B2012-May2014%2B2269.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tCbCByDUQyU/VDCQEkrnshI/AAAAAAAADZk/Cpf0-b26VEs/s1600/iPod%2Btouch%2B2012-May2014%2B2272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tCbCByDUQyU/VDCQEkrnshI/AAAAAAAADZk/Cpf0-b26VEs/s1600/iPod%2Btouch%2B2012-May2014%2B2272.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8wc-ullWS8g/VDCPNg_6OuI/AAAAAAAADYg/EeB7wlQQFf8/s1600/E14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8wc-ullWS8g/VDCPNg_6OuI/AAAAAAAADYg/EeB7wlQQFf8/s1600/E14.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0H9b7noCUpk/VDCPNjgFjqI/AAAAAAAADYk/ZF1YEDxdcNQ/s1600/E13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0H9b7noCUpk/VDCPNjgFjqI/AAAAAAAADYk/ZF1YEDxdcNQ/s1600/E13.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_O9vEhkiOc/VDCQE5sz6MI/AAAAAAAADZs/sPm0-s77u24/s1600/iPod%2Btouch%2B2012-May2014%2B2298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_O9vEhkiOc/VDCQE5sz6MI/AAAAAAAADZs/sPm0-s77u24/s1600/iPod%2Btouch%2B2012-May2014%2B2298.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eDXeSvQHT7o/VDCQFKq7KwI/AAAAAAAADZw/nd1eXPJm1pk/s1600/iPod%2Btouch%2B2012-May2014%2B2307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eDXeSvQHT7o/VDCQFKq7KwI/AAAAAAAADZw/nd1eXPJm1pk/s1600/iPod%2Btouch%2B2012-May2014%2B2307.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0_da7m7dyYU/VDCQFvdwsqI/AAAAAAAADZ4/7XbauSSmNbs/s1600/iPod%2Btouch%2B2012-May2014%2B2312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0_da7m7dyYU/VDCQFvdwsqI/AAAAAAAADZ4/7XbauSSmNbs/s1600/iPod%2Btouch%2B2012-May2014%2B2312.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br />Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-24275549492496984432013-11-07T14:12:00.002-05:002013-11-07T14:12:59.137-05:00Sneak Peek of Aurora's birthday party theme this year!I bet you can guess what it is...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WOejN6xZOA8/UnvmDskdr5I/AAAAAAAADHE/hoQeF4ECn1I/s1600/DSC00712+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WOejN6xZOA8/UnvmDskdr5I/AAAAAAAADHE/hoQeF4ECn1I/s640/DSC00712+(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-28349020727690914832013-11-07T00:40:00.000-05:002013-11-07T00:40:22.144-05:00HALLOWEEN!!<div style="text-align: left;">Aurora has been OBSESSED with dragons ever since someone gave her one at the Big E a month ago. So, when it came time to decide on Halloween costumes, I already knew what the answer would be...</div>A purple dragon!!<br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101529236@N07/10720476363/" title="IMG_3487 by firstcomesbaby1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3487" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3687/10720476363_75ae9fd3bd.jpg" width="375" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101529236@N07/10720286456/" title="IMG_3503 by firstcomesbaby1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3503" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7356/10720286456_2dab0b7481.jpg" width="375" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101529236@N07/10720275744/" title="IMG_3500 by firstcomesbaby1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3500" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2848/10720275744_d01f395850.jpg" width="375" /></a></center>This was Aurora's first year trick or treating, and even though it was a little rainy outside, she had a blast! Of course mama had to dress in a coordinating purple sorceress costume... <br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101529236@N07/10720286476/" title="IMG_3498 by firstcomesbaby1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3498" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2810/10720286476_a3520a3c7b.jpg" width="375" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101529236@N07/10720193255/" title="IMG_3506 by firstcomesbaby1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3506" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3808/10720193255_d6e12d0a8c.jpg" width="375" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101529236@N07/10720193475/" title="IMG_3504 by firstcomesbaby1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3504" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/10720193475_7a1ece2911.jpg" width="375" /></a></center>Aurora loved her costume so much, in fact, that she insisted on wearing it the whole next day while she watched Dragon Tails on Netflix. 2013 - Year of the Purple Dragon. <br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101529236@N07/10720193415/" title="IMG_3525 by firstcomesbaby1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3525" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5519/10720193415_60e0be4235.jpg" width="375" /></a></center>Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-31029216363644768442013-09-09T20:55:00.002-04:002013-09-09T21:07:02.150-04:00The Hardest Thing I've Ever Had To Teach My Child<div style="text-align: center;">When you become a parent, you know there are things you will have to teach your child. Things like; "Don't put that in your mouth", use the potty, "Say please and thank you", learn your ABCs and 123s. Other stuff happens as a reaction, like no hitting or biting (or swearing.. oops) and be gentle with animals. Then there are the things that you don't realize need teaching until you are faced with them head on.<br />For instance, how to behave in a social situation, or how to make friends.</div><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101529236@N07/9712441478/" title="IMG_3054 by firstcomesbaby1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3054" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7424/9712441478_4e377b2767.jpg" width="375" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">For me, the hardest lesson to teach, and to accept myself, &nbsp;has been "not everyone is friendly". In other words; "leave people alone if they don't want to interact with you". When Aurora first learned that she could get a reaction from people by smiling or talking to them, it was incredibly exciting for her. When she was a baby, she would wave at everyone and there was nothing more frustrating for me than watching people go out of their way to ignore her. At that age, though, she was oblivious and, because I was always holding her and she had a short attention span, the moment usually passed quickly. These days, though, she is more persistent. If someone doesn't acknowledge her, she will often go out of her way to get their attention.</div><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101529236@N07/9709204869/" title="IMG_3021 by firstcomesbaby1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3021" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/9709204869_2063020b32.jpg" width="300" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">Many people respond well, but others, not so much. She is curious about everything and it's her job at this age to learn about the world around her. This includes the people she sees every day. She wants to know about them too. She is learning important information about how to interact with others. This is something that could set the stage for her entire social life. How do you explain to your child, who is just trying to make friends, that many people don't want to be bothered? She knows that I love her. She knows that the people she sees on a regular basis like her. She knows that she can make friends with other kids and some other adults. But... what about that guy on the bus giving her a dirty look for asking too many questions?&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">If other kids don't mind her questions and most people will interact with her in a very age-appropriate way, why can't everyone?</div><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101529236@N07/9709205013/" title="IMG_3044 by firstcomesbaby1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3044" height="400" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3734/9709205013_9487c563b8.jpg" width="300" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">Aurora is extremely social... I'm sure she gets that from me. She is not shy and has no problem voicing her opinions. She loves interacting with other people and I think it's important for her. Moreover, she's really GOOD at making friends. Whenever we're in a situation where there are other kids, she gravitates towards them in a very natural way. Sometimes, it's as simple as sitting next to someone until they notice her.</div><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101529236@N07/9709200907/" title="IMG_2642 by firstcomesbaby1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2642" height="400" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3765/9709200907_980483034d.jpg" width="300" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes she plays alongside and occasionally she will ask about something the other kid is doing.</div><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101529236@N07/9712433754/" title="IMG_2588 by firstcomesbaby1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2588" height="400" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5545/9712433754_9c1863b689.jpg" width="300" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes, she goes so far as to give a random person a giant hug...<br />&nbsp;for no apparent reason other than the simple fact that she wanted to.</div><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101529236@N07/9712441588/" title="IMG_3026 by firstcomesbaby1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3026" height="320" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2880/9712441588_eb60f45931.jpg" width="240" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">Almost universally, the other kid responds well. It is the parents (myself included) that stand by waiting for something to go wrong. Why is that? Most kids are born with a natural ability to make personal connections and we, as parents, spend their formative years discouraging it! We do this by imposing our own prejudices on them or by outright teaching them to be more reserved. What is so wrong with giving someone a hug just because you want to? Why is it such an imposition when someone we don't know starts a conversation? These are adult hangups and we have no right to train our kids the same way when all they want to do is make friends. I think it's wildly unfair. However, I also recognize that we are a society that revolves around everyone having a bubble of personal space that no one should invade. I know that some people will react poorly if Aurora is always so outgoing. I also realize that some people may not have the best intentions.</div><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101529236@N07/9709203225/" title="IMG_2936 by firstcomesbaby1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2936" height="400" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5483/9709203225_936e4a47d6.jpg" width="300" /></a></center><center>I guess where I am going with this is, do I really have to teach her that talking to or touching other people isn't okay? Do we have to go over guidelines about where/when and how she is allowed to make friends?This goes beyond the typical "Don't talk to strangers" diatribe. Personally, I hate that lesson. I understand where it comes from (fear) but I refuse to make it that cut and dry for several reasons. For one, some people genuinely DO want to make connections and I think that is important. Secondly, I don't want to instill universal and unwarranted fear of the unknown into her. Should we be teaching our kids that all strangers are 'bad' just because one or two in her life may actually be? For me, the answer is no.</center><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101529236@N07/9712436530/" title="IMG_2688 by firstcomesbaby1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2688" height="400" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3798/9712436530_4be57f5ed8.jpg" width="300" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">I think learning to trust your instincts is more important. I've rarely, if ever, been wrong when I get an uneasy feeling about a person. This is something we all have the ability to recognize. Some people make your hair stand on end, others you want to cross the street to avoid talking to, some people are fine to talk to but you question the validity of everything they say. We can all see these things. However, it took me many years to fully trust that instinct. Why? Because I grew up with a "don't trust strangers" mindset. Then, as I grew older, I realized that if I never trusted strangers, I would become a creepy unemployed and reclusive cat-lady who never made friends or had lovers and who would inevitably die alone.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">The truth is we NEED strangers in our lives. They help us learn and grow and without them we would be incredibly lonely. Not to mention the fact that we would never get jobs or go on dates or make new friends.</div><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101529236@N07/9712435508/" title="IMG_2749 by firstcomesbaby1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2749" height="400" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2839/9712435508_08e84f1d2b.jpg" width="300" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;">Reconciling these two truths became very hard when I was in my teens and early twenties because I never had to rely on my gut before. Strangers were bad... period. Upon the realization that strangers were actually very important, it became hard to decide which ones were trustworthy. I had completely lost touch with that basic social instinct that we are all born with. I had no bullshit detector. I didn't know when people were just using me. I found myself believing people when they said they were telling the truth, even if a tiny part of me knew they weren't. I was desperate to let people get close to me and I made quite a few poor decisions as a result. Then, I sort of went the other way...</div><div style="text-align: center;">TRUST NO ONE.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I spent the majority of my mid-twenties as a jaded and miserable person. I thought everyone had ulterior motives. I assumed that I would never find someone who genuinely loved me. It took me a very long time to let all of that anger and disappointment go. I often wonder how much heartache I could have avoided if I had a better grasp on how to judge people. Is it really just a matter of getting older and wiser?<br />I think that is part of it, of course. But I also believe that we are fundamentally set up for failure because we never learn how to socialize.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Almost everyone I know has similar childhoods. They had a select group of friends that didn't change until school, if it changed at all. For the most part, the only adults in their lives were relatives. I can't remember any significant childhood memory that involves someone outside of my family or my two friends growing up. Granted, I also grew up in the time of 'children are seen and now heard'. I'm sure this also played a part. The thing is, the memories I have of my family are mostly amazing ones. They were adults who interacted with me in a way that was different from my parents. I learned things, I grew, and these moments stuck with me. Imagine how many more I might have had if I had met more people?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So how do we bridge this gap between "don't talk to strangers" and "only talk to the right strangers"? For us, so far, it has been a matter of teaching Aura that "not everyone is friendly" for now. She is allowed to say hello to whoever she wants (as long as she is with me). If they don't want to talk to her, I redirect her and explain later. Sometimes even when she is initially well received, she gets too excited or tries to touch people which makes them uncomfortable. In those situations, I tell her to keep her hands to herself and if she can't calm down, I redirect her. She seems to be picking up social cues little by little and will often get the hint that someone doesn't want to interact. On more than one occasion, she has told me "That person isn't friendly" which I always think is hilarious and which I secretly hope will teach the other person a lesson.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As she gets older, and is in situations where I am not right next to her, we will have to elaborate and learn the difference between strangers who are safe and those who are not. This raises a whole new set of issues. Is the person with the uniform on always friendly? How about the person teaching children's activities at the park? Are they always safe? How can you be sure they work there?</div><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101529236@N07/9709206667/" title="IMG_2566 by firstcomesbaby1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2566" height="400" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3740/9709206667_66d383a328.jpg" width="300" /></a></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: center;">In my opinion, the simple answer is; you can't ever be sure based on appearance. But this doesn't mean you should be afraid of strangers! This is where trusting your instincts will come in. We already talk about being able to judge moods, she knows when people are happy or sad and she's pretty good at spotting a faker! I'm hoping this will translate well into being able to tell if someone is honest. I also want to teach her to trust her gut. If something doesn't feel right, it isn't. She's not obligated to trust anyone except for me. She doesn't have to talk to someone if she's uncomfortable and she never, ever has to go anywhere with anyone. Ever. But that doesn't mean she has to stay in a bubble and be afraid. I don't want her to ever think that she has to be afraid of people. I don't want her to feel like she's not allowed to make new friends or to be outgoing.&nbsp;</center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: center;">Some people aren't friendly.</center><center style="text-align: center;"></center><center style="text-align: center;">That's their problem, not hers.</center><center style="text-align: center;"></center><center style="text-align: center;">Plenty of other people are.</center><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/101529236@N07/9709201489/" style="text-align: -webkit-center;" title="IMG_2826 by firstcomesbaby1, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2826" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7448/9709201489_b8df26ed59.jpg" width="375" /></a></center>Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-52245477674712238732013-09-09T13:32:00.000-04:002013-09-09T13:36:20.329-04:00Keep your home, and your little ones, safe!!<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I live in an urban area and, while we have never had any problems (knock on wood!), a few of our neighbors have had issues with break-ins. Because of this, I've been shopping around and debating whether or not to install a security system. While doing some comparisons, I came across&nbsp;<a href="http://www.protection1.com/home-security-systems/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Protection1 home security systems</a>. They have many of the basic features I was looking for (alarms, obviously, and remote options) but they also have many options that I had never even considered, like energy monitoring and automatic door locks. There are also options for video monitoring.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Perhaps what I like most about this company, however, is their focus on families. For instance, they are running a <a href="http://homesecurity.protection1.com/national-baby-safety-month/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">National Baby Safety Month</a> campaign to raise awareness for potential household hazards. There are even some helpful infographics <a href="http://homesecurity.protection1.com/infant-safety-infographic/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a>&nbsp;which break down the information for each room in your house. Some of the information is common knowledge, but there are also some helpful things that I feel are often overlooked, like anchoring furniture to prevent tipping. These helpful tips are available for free on their website right now and are even available as links for social media. I find the fact that they are promoting this safety awareness for families very comforting and it has definitely swayed my opinion towards their company vs. others who are just focused on sales. They are offing a free quote on their <a href="http://www.protection1.com/home-security-systems/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a> right now, as well. If you are looking for ways to make your house more secure and protect your family, I suggest checking them out!</span>Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-22835839764539446162013-09-04T22:30:00.002-04:002013-09-04T22:30:32.412-04:00Wordless Wednesday XXXVI - (Our micro stay-cation!!!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mvwKR1zbKh0/UifspmydZHI/AAAAAAAADGA/v9eL5FMUzis/s1600/IMG_3013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mvwKR1zbKh0/UifspmydZHI/AAAAAAAADGA/v9eL5FMUzis/s640/IMG_3013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-88094426172163603492013-09-04T22:14:00.000-04:002013-09-04T22:14:47.138-04:00Just found out about this AWESOME new site!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.usfamilyguide.com/_photogallery/2462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://www.usfamilyguide.com/_photogallery/2462.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Pleygo is a Net-Flix like service for Legos! &nbsp;Subscribe, rent, play, and exchange sets of LEGOs unlimited times per month. &nbsp;Shipping is always free both ways and sets are sanitized when returned. &nbsp;We offer a convenient, quick, and inexpensive solution that relieves clutter and saves space at home while saving money. &nbsp;Co-Founded by influential parenting blogger and creator of A-List mom Elina Furman, Plegyo is the perfect way to supply your child with endless developmental tools and allow for that much needed quiet time at home!<br /><br /><br />&nbsp;Three levels of subscription starting at just $15 allow you to find the plan that best suits you. &nbsp;We offer credit towards you account for sets and mixed bricks that you donate to us, and we provide the shipping label too! &nbsp;Pleygo is a perfect gift for a family friend, loved one, or birthday party. &nbsp;Purchase a gift subscription and send it with a special message from you! &nbsp;We are constantly expanding our inventory with more sets!<br /><br />Receive your First Month FREE at &nbsp;<a href="http://www.usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?bid=11329&amp;dealid=1389%C2%AEionid=75">http://www.usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?bid=11329&amp;dealid=1389®ionid=75</a> or directly at www.Pleygo.com to register!Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-62938572473199256082013-08-14T15:30:00.000-04:002013-08-14T15:30:55.440-04:00Foo Fest 2013! Aurora is a Rock Star PLUS a Special Announcement! This was Aurora's third Foo Fest (You can read about the other times <a href="http://msangelstarr.blogspot.com/2011/08/our-weekend-meeting-new-family-foofest.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> and <a href="http://msangelstarr.blogspot.com/2012/08/last-weekend-foo-fest.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>). For the first time she was truly able to appreciate our little family summertime tradition! It's hard to believe that just two years ago she was a little bean who spent most of her time in a carrier just staring at the bright lights. Where has the time gone? This year we went to brunch at a new place called The Grange.<br />Aurora spent quite a bit of time drawing "funny faces" on the napkins. <br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9509591607/" title="IMG_2822 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2822" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5458/9509591607_9095df7060.jpg" width="375" /></a><br /> </center><center><br /></center>Then we headed to Foo Fest! <br />The first stop was the mini makers market where we found some 3D dinosaur puzzles that Aurora loved!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9509590925/" title="IMG_2833 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2833" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7361/9509590925_fe2615ea07.jpg" width="375" /></a></center><br />Next was the musical instrument 'petting zoo' where Aurora tried her hand at guitar and drums and started an impromptu toddler band with another little girl.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9512381388/" title="IMG_2827 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2827" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5499/9512381388_8e15c02c74.jpg" width="375" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9509591111/" title="IMG_2826 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2826" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7403/9509591111_1e7362f99c.jpg" width="375" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9512380908/" title="IMG_2830 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2830" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2882/9512380908_bc11acb5eb.jpg" width="375" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9512380576/" title="IMG_2851 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2851" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7406/9512380576_981e94f9d2.jpg" width="500" /></a></center><br />Then we went to the face painting area. This was Aurora's first time getting her face painted so she had to stand and check it out for a little while first. After, she was excited to tell us that she had a 'butterfly face'!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9512381294/" title="IMG_2836 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2836" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5481/9512381294_69eaa22371.jpg" width="375" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9509590845/" title="IMG_2837 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2837" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3784/9509590845_b564b65d9b.jpg" width="375" /></a></center><br />Then my former boss treated Aurora to her first giant pretzel. You can tell by her face that she loved it:<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9509591301/" title="IMG_2842 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2842" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3666/9509591301_82c8114527.jpg" width="375" /></a></center><br />After some more walking we ate our dinner from the roof of a double-decker bus restaurant!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9509590801/" title="IMG_2844 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2844" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/9509590801_8bb721c358.jpg" width="375" /></a></center><br />Finally, Aurora played with Auntie and a new friend making more dinosaur puzzles and then we headed home. It was a great day as usual.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9509591207/" title="IMG_2846 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2846" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3800/9509591207_fa4c50df57.jpg" width="375" /></a></center><br /><br />NOW...<br />Are you ready for the super exciting announcement?<br />Aurora is officially POTTY TRAINED!!<br />After introducing the potty around Christmas time and doing a few stints here and there, Aurora finally decided about a week and a half ago that she was ready! She woke up and asked to go to the potty and she's been going ever since with no daytime accidents and only two nights of waking up wet! We even made it the whole long day away from home at Foo Fest and got back totally dry!<br />Needless to say I'm pretty proud of my big girl!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9512381598/" title="IMG_2814 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2814" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2877/9512381598_f00c00f170.jpg" width="375" /></a></center><br />Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-23913155899715343082013-08-14T15:29:00.000-04:002013-08-14T15:31:32.151-04:00Need help with translations? Try these guys first!<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Unfortunately, my dreams of one day learning a language aside from English have yet to be realized. After three years of French in middle school, all I remember is words for food, swears and very basic conversational phrases (i.e. My name is..., Where is the bathroom?). I've picked up a handful of words and phrases from a few other different languages, like Spanish, Chinese and Italian, but I'm not the slightest bit fluent in any of them. I swear one day I will buckle down and learn Spanish, since people often assume that I can speak the language and I live in a very diverse neighborhood.</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Anyway, in the meantime, I often come across things that need translating. I'm sure you've all realized by now that search engine translation like Google translate or Babelfish are rarely reliable. Sure, you can usually get the gist of what someone is saying, but quite a bit gets lost. When you're dealing with larger documents, the search engine option is pretty useless. So, in these instances, the best thing to do it to work with a <a href="http://www.rosettatranslation.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">translation service</a> or<a href="http://www.rosettatranslation.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> translation agency</a>.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">One of the best international translation services I've come across so far is Rosetta Translation (<a href="http://www.rosettatranslation.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.rosettatranslation.com</a>/). They are an international translation agency, headquartered in London. They offer translation services for every major language and specialize in legal, medical, technical and financial translation. This is particularly helpful because these documents are often the hardest to translate and require the most accuracy. If you want to check them out, you can upload a document and get a free quote right away! If you try them, be sure to come back and tell me what you think! I love hearing about other people's experiences with companies that I like.</span></span>Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-68578143520597199372013-07-26T21:47:00.000-04:002013-07-26T21:50:44.751-04:00Aurora's Summertime Adventures! - HUGE Photo update!Oh boy have we been busy around here. Trying to enjoy as much of that summer sun as we can! Of course, now that I'm not taking so many classes at a time, it's actually a little chilly here this week. Hopefully it's nice out next week so I can enjoy my first full week off after 17 weeks of non-stop schoolwork! Aurora is growing by leaps and bounds. It's almost overwhelming. At her last appointment even the doctor was amazed by how tall she had gotten and that she was speaking in full sentences. It's like she went from a baby to a big kid overnight. There's very little trace left of that helpless baby I held in my arms just two and a half years ago. Lately, she's been making new friends, playing outside as often as we possibly can and, of course, eating lots of yummy foods! On that note; my new canning hobby has quickly turned into an addiction so I'm sure some canning posts will make their way onto the blog soon, as well. Stay tuned! In the meantime, here's some highlights: <br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9375061284/" title="IMG_2567 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2567" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/9375061284_0c6f21e5a5.jpg" width="375" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9375060476/" title="IMG_2580 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2580" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5347/9375060476_45e4c37d15.jpg" width="375" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9375061328/" title="IMG_2539 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2539" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2819/9375061328_f0728eb4e4.jpg" width="375" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9375060590/" title="IMG_2480 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2480" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5448/9375060590_f824740a20.jpg" width="375" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9372285103/" title="IMG_2440 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2440" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7369/9372285103_8f4fedd3e5.jpg" width="375" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9372284307/" title="IMG_2392 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2392" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5477/9372284307_3a8bdf2875.jpg" width="375" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9372285147/" title="IMG_2382 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2382" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7448/9372285147_8388aeb263.jpg" width="375" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9375060698/" title="IMG_2316 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2316" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7364/9375060698_5e50537594.jpg" width="375" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9372285307/" title="IMG_1966 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1966" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3713/9372285307_f569a4bfee.jpg" width="375" /></a><br /> <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9375061732/" title="IMG_1926 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1926" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7289/9375061732_43f3de28a5.jpg" width="375" /></a>&nbsp;</center><center><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9372284711/" title="IMG_1870 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1870" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7371/9372284711_7a1b0577d4.jpg" width="375" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9372284865/" title="IMG_1629 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1629" height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2824/9372284865_07752f208e.jpg" width="375" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/9375061174/" title="IMG_2622 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2622" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3821/9375061174_892c946ea3.jpg" width="375" /></a></center>Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-53415511375411359742013-07-06T20:28:00.000-04:002013-07-06T20:28:34.091-04:00Happy Birthday America!! -Our 4th of July!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uyEJDh481r8/Udi15enoagI/AAAAAAAADCQ/8BVa-ZB-9gw/s1600/IMG_2468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uyEJDh481r8/Udi15enoagI/AAAAAAAADCQ/8BVa-ZB-9gw/s320/IMG_2468.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5SXy1BCbFiI/Udi15QiUJSI/AAAAAAAADCU/4QyzHp0bM7c/s1600/IMG_2477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5SXy1BCbFiI/Udi15QiUJSI/AAAAAAAADCU/4QyzHp0bM7c/s320/IMG_2477.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-67947720350841840962013-06-08T00:28:00.000-04:002013-06-08T00:28:05.919-04:00Sorry! I've been slacking...For anyone who doesn't know, I've got an unusually heavy courseload this semester and it's been a little tough to make myself sit down and update. Usually I want to get as far away from the computer as possible! The good news is; the semester is halfway over and I've been surviving, with my 4.0 average still intact. Soon it will get easier! The bean and I have been enjoying the warm weather during the day though... here's a quick glimpse of our last few weeks:<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/8982794229/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1928 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1928" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3742/8982794229_a8ca0824d0.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aurora practicing her bike riding skills at Nana Poo's house.</td></tr></tbody></table><center><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/8982794347/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_2018 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2018" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8554/8982794347_b221ac2306.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aurora at her best buddy's 2nd birthday party!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/8983988784/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1960 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1960" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5449/8983988784_dd614fb2ea.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawing and eating fruit snacks!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/8983988864/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_2052 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2052" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3817/8983988864_db8dd535cc.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picnic at the zoo!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/8983988878/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_2043 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2043" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5338/8983988878_0b2bf87771.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting with water at the zoo (I really need to make her one of these!)</td></tr></tbody></table></center><center>Meanwhile mama has been canning awesome salsa; running and obsessing over salads!!</center><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/8983988672/" title="IMG_2058 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2058" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5337/8983988672_9fbc5a5d00.jpg" width="375" /></a><br /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/8982794133/" title="IMG_2025 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2025" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5328/8982794133_46dea1d573.jpg" width="375" /></a></center>Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-38743184021690824142013-05-21T21:47:00.001-04:002013-05-21T21:47:13.690-04:00Mother's Day, Pint Sized Picasso and Aurora's 1st Attempt at Chopsticks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PEXTKYW33Dw/UZwiXRYSxnI/AAAAAAAADBg/IFdEI7R3ca0/s1600/IMG_1846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PEXTKYW33Dw/UZwiXRYSxnI/AAAAAAAADBg/IFdEI7R3ca0/s320/IMG_1846.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mother's Day is a holiday that I'm still getting used to. It used to be a holiday that I dreaded because it just reminded me that my mother was no longer around. These days, it is a much happier time because I have my own little bean but it is still a lot to take in and it's hard to not feel a little guilty while celebrating. This year we took it pretty easy. We went out for a nice brunch and some bloody Marys, then did our usual grocery shopping routine. It was perfect. In other news:&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;Aurora has been on a creative streak lately! Drawing and painting up a storm!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JvaZpAvdQv0/UZwiV9Y4baI/AAAAAAAADBQ/B9oBV1UN4ds/s1600/IMG_1796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JvaZpAvdQv0/UZwiV9Y4baI/AAAAAAAADBQ/B9oBV1UN4ds/s320/IMG_1796.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She's also learning how to use chopsticks, or tsop stips as she calls them. It was all her idea. She's doing pretty great, but she tends to stab the pieces of food that won't cooperate haha.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wfwhrb324nI/UZwiV6MwCyI/AAAAAAAADBU/4ynM6tipTHc/s1600/IMG_1776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wfwhrb324nI/UZwiV6MwCyI/AAAAAAAADBU/4ynM6tipTHc/s320/IMG_1776.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-38664291201330821332013-05-07T23:11:00.002-04:002013-05-07T23:11:41.879-04:00What we've been up to lately:Time just keeps slipping away around here. We're busy busy busy! Aurora's new buddy is still with us three days a week, which seems to be working out well for everyone. I'm still in school full time, taking THREE classes at once right now which is a little stressful. I've also started running for exercise because it's the most (actually, only) convenient option for me. In between all of that, we've been trying to get out and enjoy this new spring sunshine as much as possible! Here's some of our moments from the last few weeks:<br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/8718534945/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1755 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1755" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7368/8718534945_f9906a237c.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running errands with mama.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/8719651386/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1603 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1603" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/8719651386_f13fe8eeb7.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snugglin and watching Sesame Street! (SO CUTE!)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/8719652064/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1652 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1652" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7444/8719652064_9d1169d5b5.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first 5k - don't laugh at how slow I am please!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/8719649428/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1739 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1739" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7339/8719649428_713e5cd547.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teaching her buddy how to draw with chalk!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/8718530475/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1729 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1729" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7288/8718530475_64df4dcd61.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Longest bubble bath ever!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/93604726@N04/8719652812/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1764 by FirstComesBaby, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1764" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/8719652812_1c5c8dea9d.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aurora's first ice cream cone!! (Shhh.... don't tell her it was vegan and all -natural!)</td></tr></tbody></table>Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100384578690847149.post-16480730247949606132013-04-16T23:10:00.000-04:002013-04-16T23:10:06.302-04:00To everyone who DIDN'T win the Conscious Box giveaway - Have no fear!!I've been given a special code, so you guys can get a free box and check them out for yourself anyway!<div>Just use the code: SECRETCODE with any monthly subscription and you'll only pay shipping on your first box! Please note: the subscriptions will auto-renew, so if you don't want a second box to arrive, you'll have to cancel your subscription. I can assure you though, the Conscious Box team is super friendly and nice to deal with. SO... what are you waiting for? Go check them out! I was really pleased with my gluten free box this month!&nbsp;</div>Angela H.https://plus.google.com/104229129280641935904noreply@blogger.com0